philippe starck tops maison heler in france with 19th-century house

Philippe Starck unveils surreal Maison Heler in Metz, france

Perched atop a contemporary monolithic structure, a traditional 19th-century house seems to float above the city of Metz, a surreal vision brought to life by Philippe Starck. Maison Heler, situated in the Amphithéâtre district, brings the designer’s poetic imagination to life through a hospitality concept shaped from steel and glass. The nine-story base supports a Lorrain-style residence, uprooted and elevated, crafting an enigmatic and dreamlike landmark.

The hotel houses 104 rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars, and event spaces, all designed to echo the whimsical and inventive spirit of Manfred Heler, Starck’s fictional protagonist, an inventor whose home is mysteriously lifted into the sky. This dreamlike narrative serves as the conceptual backbone for the aesthetic of the hotel. ‘Maison Heler is a game on uprooted roots,’ explains Starck. ‘A symbolic construction of Lorraine whose historical identities create an inspiring intermediate state, where the houses and their fortress-like allure served as the central soil for this project and the surreal story of its owner Manfred Heler.’

all images courtesy of Philippe Starck

a gravity-defying hotel concept

Philippe Starck’s design for Maison Heler plays with the contrast between stability and movement. The hotel, located next to the Centre Pompidou-Metz, reflects contemporary art and design while incorporating drawing on elements of architectural surrealism. Its lower section is a modern, minimalist building, while the upper section is a traditional house placed on the roof, a combination that highlights the contrast between past and present. Guests experience two distinct environments: the structured, contemporary lower floors and the more familiar, home-like setting of the rooftop house.

Maison Heler also incorporates a narrative element. The French designer came up with the character of Manfred Heler, an eccentric inventor, as part of the hotel’s identity. This fictional story, published as The Meticulous Life of Manfred Heler, informs the design choices throughout the space.

a traditional 19th-century house seems to float above the city of Metz

storytelling through design

As guests step inside, Maison Heler immerses them in its surreal universe. The reception area contrasts immaculate ceramics with dark furnishings. The restaurant, La Cuisine de Rose, is an all-day brasserie dedicated to Manfred’s imagined love, Rose. The space is adorned with pink accents and surrealist details, reinforcing the overarching theme of dreamlike invention. The architect envisions it as a romantic sanctuary bathed in white and soft pink hues, furnished with dark-toned seating and a ceiling adorned with a giant origami airplane. Each element, from the bespoke furniture to the curated displays, echoes Starck’s commitment to storytelling through design.

The dining room, named La Maison de Manfred, unfolds like a scene from a cherished memory, where time seems to stretch and soften in the glow of warm light. The interplay of textures—smooth leather, rough-hewn wood, and embossed green columns—creates an atmosphere of quiet intimacy, inviting guests to linger. Ara Starck’s stained glass windows infuse the restaurant with an ethereal presence, casting shifting hues across the space as daylight filters through. Each of the 19 panels tells a silent story, culminating in the monumental centerpiece that transforms the main hall into a canvas of luminous color.

Maison Heler houses 104 rooms and suites, two restaurants, two bars, and event spaces

small surprises are hidden in the suites

True to Starck’s love of the surreal and poetic, Maison Heler also serves as a living gallery, featuring whimsical objects inspired by French painter and illustrator Jacques Carelman’s Catalogue d’Objets Introuvables (1969). ‘An absolute masterpiece,’ shares the designer. ‘A great and comic spirit of invention, but above all very poetic, which tells of the beauty of the human spirit to invent rightly or wrongly.’ Scattered throughout the hotel, guests encounter playful yet meticulously crafted artifacts: a crystal hammer, inverted rocking chairs, and plaster anvils—each a nod to Manfred’s fantastical world of invention.

The rooms and suites at Maison Heler are designed to feel like cozy spaces between two worlds. Each room is simple yet elegant, with careful attention to every detail. Marble panels add a timeless quality, while sliding mirrors reflect changing light throughout the day. The design creates a calm, comfortable atmosphere. Soft carpets and leather armchairs make the space inviting, and the neutral colors—whites and grays—give it a peaceful, quiet elegance.

‘An almost Spartan spirit,’ notes Philippe Starck, ‘stripped of any superficiality, where each material asserts its own color: the white of cotton, the gray of concrete on the ceiling and walls.’ The rooms also encourage curiosity. The designer hides small surprises, like old coins and quotes, all around, connecting guests to the story of Manfred Heler.

Ara Starck’s stained glass windows infuse the restaurant with an ethereal presence